Best Pillows of 2020: Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Like mattresses, pillows are not a one-size-fits-all sleep accessory. There are a variety of shapes and sizes to choose from, but to find the right one for you, you must first understand what exactly you need in a new pillow. Reflecting on your personal preferences and sleep style, in addition to doing a bit of research, can steer you towards the most comfortable option for yourself.

In this guide, we’ll be discussing which pillows are best for each sleeping style, the different fills you can choose, our Editors’ recommended pillows you can buy today, and more.

30 Second Summary: Best Pillows of 2020

Amerisleep’s Comfort Classic — The Amerisleep Comfort Classic is our Editors’ Choice as the best pillow of 2020 because it’s eco-friendly, designed with enhanced cooling channels to prevent you from getting too hot, and has a loft perfect for side and back sleepers. Plus, it comes with a risk-free 100-night sleep trial!

Zoma’s Pillow — The Zoma Pillow is made with customizable MicroCushion™ foam technology, allowing you to find your ideal size and comfort. The Zoma Pillow comes with free shipping and a 10-year warranty.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of different pillows sold today. A simple search on Google will bring pages and pages of products to browse. To narrow down your selection, we’ll be breaking down nine of our favorite pillows on the market right now.

Amerisleep’s Comfort Classic is the best pillow you can buy. A memory foam option, the Comfort Classic is excellent at alleviating aches and pains in your neck. Amerisleep conveniently designs their products for types of sleepers and state on their website who they’re meant for; their Comfort Classic pillow has a 6-inch loft and is catered towards back and side sleepers, specifically.

While most pillows are either hard and heavy or soft as a cloud, Amerisleep designs theirs to be a perfect mix of comfort and neck support. When you lay on the Comfort Classic, it’ll cushion and mold to your neck to alleviate pressure points and pain while still being supportive enough to hold your head in line with the rest of your body.

In this product, Amerisleep uses its proprietary Bio-Pur® foam, plant-based memory foam. Their foams are certified eco-friendly by CertiPUR-US®, meaning they’re free from ozone depleters, PBDE flame retardants, formaldehyde, mercury, lead, harsh chemicals, and low in VOCs. Because they use plant-based foam, their Comfort Classic is five times more breathable than other solid memory foam pillows.

To reinforce their pillows’ breathability, Amerisleep also includes cooling channels in their design that allows hot air to escape out and away from you while you sleep. The combination of their advanced open cell structure and cooling channels helps keep you cool all night long.

If you’re wanting to shop “green” or are sensitive to chemicals, the Comfort Classic is a good selection for you. Plus, the cover is easily unzipped and machine washable.

Amerisleep offers a 100-night sleep trial with each of their pillows, so you have the opportunity to try it at home and decide if it’s the most comfortable option. If you decide against it, they’ll return it for free and issue you a full refund— allowing you to shop in confidence. A Queen Comfort Classic costs $90 and can be bought on Amerisleep’s website or in one of their select showroom locations across the nation.

For a pillow to be successful, it should not sleep hot (if you sleep hot, you’ll usually wake up and turn your pillow over), it should not be so thick (or so thin) that it creates discomfort in your neck and spine and it needs to be comfortable. The Zoma pillow does all of this and more.

First, the Zoma pillow is customizable. We don’t mean you need to worry about taking out shreds of foam and changing the shape of your pillow. We mean the pillow material – made of a material called MicroCushions™ – can be molded and adapted to your needs. If you want a thicker pillow (usually a sign you’re on your side) just fluff the pillow up to your desired loft. If you want a thinner pillow (for back and stomach sleepers) you can massage the pillow down and create a comfortable contouring spot for your head.

Second, the Zoma pillow is breathable thanks to its mesh polyester and spandex cover. This helps keep you from sleeping hot throughout the night.

Finally, the ability to customize this pillow, to move and shift its foam to your desired shape makes the Zoma pillow truly comfortable. This pillow is available on Zoma’s website, comes with free shipping, and a 10-year warranty.

3. Coop HomeGoods Premium Adjustable Loft Shredded Memory Foam Pillow

The Coop Home Goods Premium Adjustable Memory Foam Pillow is the number-one best-selling pillow on Amazon, so it was an easy addition to our list. Featuring shredded memory foam, this option’s adjustability makes it more flexible than other memory foam counterparts.

The memory foam in this pillow allows your head to sink in as it contours to your neck. People love this product because it’s adjustable, so you’re able to add or remove foam until you’ve found your preferred comfort level. Because the filling can be adjusted, the loft can be customized too, so this pillow can work for side, back, and stomach sleepers alike.

The Coop Home Goods Pillow is hypoallergenic, dust mite resistant, CertiPUR-US® certified, and comes with a washable cover. You can buy it in Queen-size on Amazon for $59.99.

4. Leesa Hybrid

The term hybrid refers to the combination of different materials to create one product. For example, hybrid beds usually contain both foam layers and an innerspring coil system; and a hybrid pillow contains more than one type of filling. Leesa combines the benefits of both gel-foam and a down alternative filling, called polyester microfibers, in their innovative, alternative pillow.

Let’s take a look at the construction of this pillow, as it’s a bit different than the ones we’ve discussed already.

The cover is quilted with polyester microfibers, a material designed to feel similar to down feathers in regards to comfort and coziness. The down-alternative side is quite thick, so it’s not the best for stomach sleepers.

The other side of the pillow is flat and contains a layer of gel-infused poly-foam. Because this side is flat, it has a lower profile and a more even loft, which could be comfortable for back and stomach sleepers. When you sleep on this side, the foam will contour to your neck and the cooling gel included will keep you cool. The poly-microfiber side will feel more plush and cloud-like than contouring.

Within this pillow is another smaller pillow. The Leesa Hybrid has a zipper on the side of it that allows you to remove the smaller insert inside if you like. This design only reinforces this product’s cushioning feel; however, it can contribute to the height, too, so removing it could create a more comfortable thickness.

We like this pillow because it’s quite customizable. You can sleep on the gel-foam side with the insert, or without it, and you can try the down-like side with and without the insert, too. Our only hesitation with it is its thickness; because it’s on the taller side, it could be uncomfortable for back and stomach sleepers. However, with the right customization, it could be a fit for any type of sleeper— it’s just up to the consumer to customize it properly to get the best sleep.

A Queen Leesa Hybrid pillow runs for $125 and can be bought on Leesa’s website. It also comes with a 3-year warranty, as a bonus.

5. Zen Chi Buckwheat Hull Pillow

Next up on our list is the eco-friendly Zen Chi Buckwheat Hull pillow, featuring 100% organically grown buckwheat and organic cotton. For people who tend to sleep hot, this pillow is a dream come true. The buckwheat hull fill of this bed allows for optimal breathability, ensuring heat won’t be trapped within.

The Zen Chi is also adjustable, as you can remove as many of the buckwheat hulls as you want to make the pillow your desired firmness. Ultimately, that means this product can be an option for you regardless of your sleeping position. If you’re wondering how a buckwheat fill would feel, it’s similar to that of a beanbag— the fill can be easily shifted to be more supportive or softer, depending on what you prefer, and it molds to your neck because the buckwheats are small enough to adapt to your body’s movements.

Unfortunately, like a beanbag, the filling inside can be quite noisy when you pick your pillow up to fluff it or flip it over to the “cool side.”

You can purchase Zen Chi’s pillow on Amazon for $69.95; however, Amazon frequently discounts this product, and prices have been as low as $39.95.

6. Saatva Pillow

The next contender on our list is made by the well-known Saatva brand. Known for their high-end mattresses, it’s safe to assume their bedding and sleep accessories do not fall short of luxurious. Saatva designs their pillow to have a medium firm feel, so it’s excellent for back sleepers, and because it has a higher loft, is also suitable for side sleepers.

Let’s talk about what’s inside this pillow. Similar to the Leesa, Saatva uses two different types of fill, 100% natural Talalay latex and down-like micro denier fiber fill. The cover is 100% cotton; it feels soft on your skin but is also moisture-wicking and breathable, keeping your temperature regulated.

As you can expect, a luxurious product comes with a hefty price tag, but many customer reviews of this bed mention its been a worthy investment in their sleep; a Queen Saatva pillow will run you $145. A perk to buying with this brand is they do offer a 45-day trial period, so you have the opportunity to try it out and decide if you like it before committing to it.

Pillows by Sleep Styles

When it comes time to choose your next pillow, there are many factors to take into consideration, such as firmness, pressure relief, fill, responsiveness, loft, personal preference, and your budget. The loft refers to how thick it is— a high loft means a thicker pillow while something with a lower loft is thinner. The thickness of your pillow is important because it determines whether or not your spine is going to be in healthy alignment or contorted unnaturally. How you sleep will directly impact how tall your pillow should be.

Let’s talk about the right pillow for type of sleeper:

Back Sleepers: Back sleeping is quite uncommon, and usually back sleepers find themselves sleeping in other positions, too. Because back sleepers sometimes toss and turn, they’re best suited for a pillow that’s a happy medium in regards to both loft and firmness. When back sleepers lay flat on their back, they want their neck to align with their shoulders, reinforcing the natural curvature of the spine. The most important thing when choosing a pillow for a back sleeper is making sure it’s not too thick or too thin.

Side Sleepers: A recent survey conducted by WebMD showed that nearly 70% of people would categorize themselves as a side sleeper; with only 16% of people identifying as a stomach sleeper and 14% as back sleepers. Side sleepers require a firm pillow with a higher loft to keep their neck healthily in line with the rest of their body. Sleep specialists suggest the perfect loft for side sleeping is 4-6 inches. Contoured pillows are often recommended for side sleepers because they have two edges that allow you to pick which side fits your neck most comfortably. Side sleepers should avoid softer pillows because they prevent your neck from sinking down and resting at an uncomfortable angle.

Stomach Sleepers: It’s crucial for stomach sleepers to find a low loft, soft pillow to prevent their neck from craning upwards when they sleep. Sleeping on your stomach isn’t the best for your spine, because when you sleep on your stomach, you have to turn your head to the side to breathe, twisting your neck. The last thing you want is to have a pillow that’s too tall, causing your neck to be both twisted sideways and tilted upwards. Finding a relatively flat pillow will allow your head to rest comfortably in line with the rest of your spine, reducing the chance of experiencing neck pain as a stomach sleeper.

Types of Pillows

When you think of a pillow, usually a fluffy, cloud-like rectangular shape comes to mind. However, these items are now sold in all shapes and sizes. From small travel pillows to lengthy body pillows, there’s a variety to consider.

Standard

A standard size pillow is what you would imagine an everyday pillow looking like; they’re the most commonly found in bedrooms and fit well in both standard and Queen sized pillowcases.

Bolster

Bolster pillows are a half-circle, meaning one side is flat and the other is rounded. These are most often used to combat pain; you can place a bolster pillow under your knees when you sleep on your back or side, and it’ll boost circulation and relieve pressure. You can also set a bolster pillow in between your knees to alleviate back, leg, knee, ankle, hip, and joint pain, as a cushion between your knees reinforces natural spinal alignment.

Wedge

A wedge pillow resembles the shape of a block of cheese. When you lay down on one of these, it’ll slightly elevate your shoulders, neck, and head, allowing you to snooze more upright. These are also convenient for in-bed reading or watching TV, as it lifts your head without the use of an adjustable base. If you’re somebody who experiences chronic lower back pain, you can also place a wedge pillow below your knees to ease pressure on your tailbone.

European

European pillows are square in shape, instead of rectangular. For the most part, European pillows are used as decoration and not actually utilized for sleep. These are excellent to use to prop yourself up in bed for reading or watching TV, as they can be thrown behind your pillow for sleep to offer an extra cushion.

Lumbar

Lumbar pillows are similar to standard pillows with their rectangular shape; however, their differences lie in their height. A lumbar pillow is only about as tall as the small of your back, so it can fit snugly between your spine and the mattress without causing discomfort. If your mattress does not mold to your spine, it can cause a gap between your lower back and the bed, causing chronic back pain over time. Sliding a lumbar pillow underneath your lower back closes that gap and eliminates discomfort.

Contoured

Contoured pillows are considered to be orthopedic because they support the muscles in your neck and allow your neck to rest naturally without pressure or strain. These pillows are characterized by two slopes, one higher than the other. The two-slope design allows you to choose which side fits most comfortably under your neck. In the center, between the two slopes, there is a shallow plateau where your head lies. As we mentioned, contoured pillows are always a good idea for side sleepers and back sleepers to relieve neck pain, but should be avoided entirely by stomach sleepers. Because stomach sleepers require something with a lower loft, the slopes of this design could lead to knots in your neck if you use it while sleeping on your stomach.

Neck

Neck pillows fit snugly around your neck, supporting your neck muscles and keeping your head in a natural position. The standard “U” shaped neck pillow is most often used by people traveling for long hours who want to get some sleep; however, they can be used every day to help alleviate chronic neck pains.

Body

As the name suggests, body pillows are about the same size as your body. These long, slim pillows are great for both decoration and pain relief. It’s recommended that side sleepers with joint or hip pain sleep with a body pillow between their knees and legs to reduce pressure points and promote a healthy spine.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy pillows are similar to body pillows regarding their ability to relieve pain and discomfort. These resemble an upside-down letter “U” and are almost double the size of a body pillow, as this wraps around your entire body. To properly use a pregnancy pillow, Sleep Specialists recommend you place it between your knees and rest your stomach atop of it. Your head will rest within the curve of the “U,” while your back is cushioned with the other side. Pregnancy pillows help women find a comfortable sleep position and prevent tossing and turning, promoting undisturbed sleep.

Pillow Sizes

In this section, we’ll break down the dimensions of the most common pillow sizes used for sleeping.

Standard, Super Standard, and Queen sizes fit on most mattresses, up to a Queen. King beds require a wider pillow to cover the entire surface of the mattress. European pillows can be used on your bed or in other rooms of the house as decoration.

Pillow Fills

After deciding on the shape and size of your next pillow, it’s time to look at their different fills and choose which material best aligns with your sleep needs.

Memory Foam

First invented by NASA to use as seat cushions, memory foam is known for its ability to mold to your body’s shape and relieve pressure. For those with neck pain, cushioning but pressure-relieving memory foam could be your key to a better, more comfortable night’s sleep. You can usually find the best memory foam pillows carried in a variety of thicknesses, so they’re an option regardless of your sleeping position.

Plus, if you’re looking for cooling pillows, gel memory foam is perfect for easing pressure and keeping your temperature regulated and comfortable. Gel memory foam is different than traditional memory foam because it’s infused with cooling gels for temperature regulation and additional support.

Shredded Memory Foam

These differ from traditional memory foam pillows because instead of containing one solid block of memory foam, the memory foam is shredded up– as the name suggests. Some people prefer shredded memory foam over standard memory foam because this option is more malleable— the shreds of memory foam can be moved around, you can adjust the foam inside to feel softer or firmer where you want more support or more comfort.

Down

Down, or goose down, is one of the most popular fillings and is known for its plushness. Down feathers are plucked from the underbellies of waterfowl, mostly geese, and differ from their other feathers because they’re lighter, fluffier, and free from quills. You can buy feather pillows, too, but down pillows are known to hold their loft and resist sags for much longer. Because these pillows can be quite soft, they may not always be the best option for side sleepers.

Down Alternative

If you want all the comfort and plushness of a down pillow without the price tag, choose down alternative— otherwise known as, synthetic polyester microfibers. This material is soft and almost silky feeling, and offer plenty of benefits to you, the sleeper. Unlike down or feather filling, down alternative is always hypoallergenic and usually more breathable than their counterparts. Plus, they’re usually a fraction of the cost.

Feather

Feather pillows feel a little firmer than down and are made with the feathers of waterfowl, too. A feather pillow is another budget-friendly alternative to a down pillow; they’re light and fluffy, but don’t usually hold their shape as long. Additionally, the quills on these feathers can poke through the cover, causing discomfort.

Polyester Fiberfill

Polyester Fiberfill, or Poly-Fil, is one of the most inexpensive fillings you can buy. These pillows are soft, lightweight, and moldable, but often develop lumps. You can find numerous Poly-Fil options at most Walmarts, Targets, and other big brand name stores’ bedding sections because they’re one of the most affordable options. Not that Poly-Fil is necessarily unhealthy, but the harsh chemicals used to make this material pose more risks to your health than say feather or wool. When buying a pillow for a small child, we recommend investing in something all-natural.

Latex

All-natural latex and synthetic latex are becoming popular filling options for pillows. You can find latex in a solid foam, or shredded, similar to how memory foam filling can differ. Latex is cushioning but more responsive than memory foam, so it offers a more lifting feeling rather than cradling. The production of synthetic latex requires various harsh chemicals, so as always, we recommend choosing a 100% natural latex pillow. Latex is a bit more expensive than memory foam, but it’s also a more durable material, so it’s less likely to sag with use.

Buckwheat Hulls

Buckwheat is a seed. When you break a buckwheat shell open and remove the seed inside, you’re left with the outer shell, otherwise known as the buckwheat hull. This organic material is similar to memory foam in the regard that it’s excellent at molding and contouring to your body’s curves. When you lay on a pillow with Buckwheat hull filling, it should cradle your neck and head. These pillows are quite malleable, so you can easily fluff them up to feel softer or firmer in certain places. Unlike memory foam, buckwheat hulls are all natural and breathable, reducing the chance of heat retention. The only downfall to using this material is that it can be noisy as you change positions during the night.

Microbead

Microbeads are a synthetic alternative to buckwheat hulls. They’re comfortable, breathable, contouring, and moldable; however, because several chemicals are needed to make this material, they often have an unpleasant stench. Microbeads don’t have the lifespan of buckwheat hulls, either, and usually, flatten out rather quickly. If you’re shopping on a budget and not looking to buy a long-lasting pillow, a microbead option will likely meet your needs but is not the best option when investing in better sleep.

Kapok

Kapok is another all-natural, popular filling. The Kapok tree, found in Mexico, produces hard pods and inside, lies fluffy fibers that feel similar to cotton— but softer. The fibers inside of these pods are often referred to as Silk Cotton or Java Cotton. Harvesting and breaking open Kapok pods is the only way to source this filling. Kapok is a cruelty-free, all-natural alternative to using down or other feathers in a pillow, but offers a very similar sleep experience. Additionally, these pillows are free from harmful chemicals used to make different fillings such as Poly-Fil or Microbeads.

Wool

Wool, sourced from sheep, has been used as a filling for pillows, mattresses, blankets, and other sleep accessories for thousands of years. In fact, some of the first mattresses contained segments of wool to create cushioning comfort. Wool is an all-natural material free from harsh chemicals but can clump up after a while, creating inconsistent support.

Cotton

Cotton is similar to wool in the aspect that it’s all-natural, free from harsh chemicals, but can clump up with use. Cotton is a traditional textile that has been used in bedding for years; the advantages to using this material include breathability and no off-gassing. However, these pillows aren’t always long-lasting because of their tendency to lose their loft and flatten out.

Water

Like a mini water bed, a water pillow is filled with, you guessed it, water. These are incredibly customizable because you can add as much water as you want until you find what’s most comfortable for you. When you sleep with a water pillow, it should cushion your head and neck and alleviate tension in those muscles.

Combating Discomfort with a Good Pillow

Whether you suffer from a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea or you’re plagued with aches and pains in the morning, you can find a high-quality pillow to help eliminate your discomfort. Below, we’ll break down different medical conditions and how their symptoms can be alleviated with the proper pillow.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where your breathing repeatedly stops and restarts during the night. There are three different types of sleep apnea: obstructive, central, and complex. Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, is the most common form of sleep apnea and occurs when your throat muscles relax and block your airway. Central sleep apnea, or CSA, is when your brain fails to transmit signals to the proper muscles allowing you to breathe. Complex sleep apnea is a mix of both obstructive and central sleep apnea. OSA can be helped with a pillow that elevates your head and prevents your airways from closing; for example, a wedge pillow. If your sleep apnea is severe enough and you’re required to use a CPAP machine to keep your airways open, they also make pillows designed to help keep your CPAP facemask on all night without discomfort.

Neck Pain

If you suffer from chronic neck pain, it’s crucial to find a pillow that will relieve pressure; look for the best memory foam or latex option.

Headaches

If you frequently experience headaches, it could be caused by the misalignment of your neck as a result of sleeping in an incorrect or unhealthy position. Buying a pillow that will promote the proper alignment of your spine can release tension in your spine and neck, reducing headaches and migraines.

Allergies

Allergies affect many people, and your pillow could be contributing to allergic reactions. Some materials, such as latex, people are directly allergic to; while other fillings, such as feather, can collect dust mites over time, causing an allergic reaction. Finding a hypoallergenic pillow is the best way to ensure your allergies won’t be bothering you when you sleep.

Snoring

Though mostly a nuisance, snoring is an actual condition where your breathing is impeded when you sleep. Blocked nasal and air passages create a loud snoring sound, that can cause disturbed sleep when you share a bed with a partner. To eliminate snoring, find a pillow that’ll prop your shoulders, neck, and head up to open your airways. Many adjustable beds have a “Snore” feature that elevates your head to a certain angle to open the airways; but if you do not want to invest in a whole new bed frame, you can find a simple solution by modifying your pillow.

Pair the Right Pillow with the Right Mattress

Reading about pillow lofts and fills has probably got you thinking: am I using the right mattress?

A pillow should support you, keeping your spine properly aligned, while not making you hot or uncomfortable. The best mattresses do the same.

You can use the knowledge you learned above to help you evaluate your bed. If you need a pillow with a thicker loft, that probably means you should look for the best mattress for side sleepers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are throw pillows so expensive?

A throw pillow’s price is influenced by its design and fabric quality. Pillows made with leather, silk, or sheepskin often cost more than a pillow made with cotton or synthetic materials. Less expensive throw pillows may contain lower-quality materials, but they can still add some cheer to your bed or couch.

Should my shoulders be on a pillow when sleeping?

If you can, we recommend keeping your shoulders off your pillow. The point of a pillow is to support your head and neck, and placing your shoulders on the pillow can decrease the amount of support your neck receives. You may find yourself waking up with a sore neck, in other words.

What pillows do five-star hotels use?

Most hotels use down and down alternative pillows because they’re comfortable for the majority of sleepers and are available in a range of prices. More luxurious hotels use more expensive down pillows, while others use more standard down or down alternative pillows. These pillows are also rather easy to wash and maintain, so you can feel confident you’re sleeping on fresh bedding.

Are expensive pillows worth it?

You don’t need to spend an arm and a leg on a new pillow. Some pillows cost upward of $200 because of fancy stitching and high-quality stuffing, but you don’t need to pay that much to get good sleep. Really, the most important thing is finding a pillow designed to suit your sleeping position and made with a material that appeals to you. Once you find something that sounds comfortable, the price of the upgrade is usually worth it.

When should I buy new pillows?

Pillows usually need to be replaced every year or two. You can extend your pillow’s lifespan by using a pillow cover (in addition to a pillowcase) and washing your pillow regularly. Protecting your pillow from sweat and keeping it maintained will help it feel comfortable for longer.

Did You Find Your Next Pillow?

Choosing the perfect pillow comes down to a science. Understanding what you need from a pillow and how they are constructed can help you pinpoint exactly what options are right for you. We hope our guide has helped simplify the pillow-picking process. Always remember to use customer reviews to your advantage, and when shopping online, look for sales to make sure you’re getting the best product for your money.

This article is for informational purposes and should not replace advice from your doctor or other medical professional.

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